Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Serviceshttp://www.psfans.org.au
Tue, 19 Feb 2019 23:19:53 +0000en-AUhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9123574514Homelessness Rears Head in Port Stephenshttp://www.psfans.org.au/homelessness-rears-head-in-port-stephens/
http://www.psfans.org.au/homelessness-rears-head-in-port-stephens/#respondWed, 16 Jan 2019 19:00:10 +0000http://www.psfans.org.au/?p=9588The issue of homelessness has reared its ugly head at a time when families should be coming together with reports that an increasing number of Port Stephens residents are seeking emergency accommodation. In the days prior to Christmas, the Examiner was notified of&hellip

The issue of homelessness has reared its ugly head at a time when families should be coming together with reports that an increasing number of Port Stephens residents are seeking emergency accommodation.

In the days prior to Christmas, the Examiner was notified of at least two incidences where persons were sleeping rough: the first in a makeshift tent in the Anna Bay bushland and the second in a vehicle near Taylors Beach.

Unfortunately, there is no crisis accommodation for homeless people in Port Stephens.

In the June state budget, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced an extra $61 million over four years to help the homeless, those who are sleeping rough and victims of domestic violence.

The Port’s Liberal state candidate Jaimie Abbott said the government was working hard to address the growing problem of homelessness.

“In 2018/19 more than $20 million will be allocated to 25 specialist homelessness services in the Hunter New England district, which are available to those sleeping rough, or at risk of homelessness,” she said.

“These services deliver a range of support including crisis and transitional accommodation, outreach with those sleeping rough, case management and links to education and training.

“There will be more than $825,000 spent on three service support funds in HNE in 2018/19 to help reduce homelessness and $1.5 million will be spent on services that support young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”

State Labor MP Kate Washington sad that sadly, emergency accommodation options in Port Stephens were very limited, as were general social housing options.

“People can be waiting years to access social housing, and the lack of emergency options means vulnerable people often end up in places that are far from ideal,” she said.

“Staff at the Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Service work hard supporting vulnerable people and families, but they just don’t have the resources to meet the need.

“The government has twice refused to provide me information about public housing stock in Port Stephens. Clearly this government is not providing adequate housing options for vulnerable people.”

Pot Stephens Salvation Army Corps Officer Howard Koutnik said that homelessness was a significant issue across the nation and coastal communities like Port Stephens were not immune.

“Accommodation services for people experiencing homelessness are limited in Port Stephens with most of the government-funded services based in Newcastle,” Mr Koutnik said.

“There’s no question that the need is great and we would definitely like to see additional accommodation services made available in the immediate Port Stephens community but until such time, we will continue to support the homeless through the supply of food hampers, personal hygiene packs and through referral to local housing services like Link to Home.”

Ann Fletcher, from the Early Intervention and Homelessness Program, said they received between 30 and 50 new referrals a month, predominantly from people seeking accommodation support.

]]>http://www.psfans.org.au/homelessness-rears-head-in-port-stephens/feed/09588Raymond Terrace crisis accommodation helps break cycle of abusive relationships in its first year of operation.http://www.psfans.org.au/raymond-terrace-crisis-accommodation-helps-break-cycle-of-abusive-relationships-in-its-first-year-of-operation/
http://www.psfans.org.au/raymond-terrace-crisis-accommodation-helps-break-cycle-of-abusive-relationships-in-its-first-year-of-operation/#respondWed, 25 Apr 2018 20:27:54 +0000http://www.psfans.org.au/?p=8857A year has passed since the door opened on a Raymond Terrace unit designed to help women and children flee violent situations. In that time it has been brought into use at least once a month with each stay lasting&hellip

A year has passed since the door opened on a Raymond Terrace unit designed to help women and children flee violent situations.

In that time it has been brought into use at least once a month with each stay lasting from two days to a week, before the family is found permanent accommodation.

In many cases police place the affected family in the unit after hours so that Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services can work with these mothers from the next morning.

“It’s going great guns,” the service’s early intervention and homelessness team leader Ann Fletcher said.

“We’ve had one case per month on average access the unit and it has definitely made a difference, with us working closer with police and other services, to keep these women and children safe. Even to think there’s one woman a month having to use this service, I shake my head that this issue doesn’t get the attention it needs to bring about change.”

The unit was a joint project between Port Stephens Council, which came forward with the unit, the police who renovated the space and PSFANS.

“It was such a generous donation from council, the police officers who chipped in and Friends with Dignity, which helped furnish it,” Ms Fletcher said.

The police behind the project went above and beyond.

“While we don’t play a primary role in proving accommodation, we work with other services to help people who are doing it tough and sleeping rough,” Chief Inspector Tony Townsend said.

“The domestic violence house is one example of how we’ve been able to provide assistance.”

Insp Townsend said it was important to those officers who were involved in the project, giving up their own time to renovate it.

“Where we can, we do help the disadvantaged people in the community, particularly victims of domestic violence. Supporting these people gives police a great sense of satisfaction,” he said.

“We’ll continue to play a role, where we can, in supporting other agencies in providing accommodation to those who need it.”

The mayor Ryan Palmer said the refuge had proven most valuable.

“Community safety is an absolute priority for council, which is why we are proud to support this partnership program,” he said.

“For women and children experiencing family violence, it’s incredibly important that they have somewhere to turn that is comfortable and above all else, safe.

“We’re lucky in Port Stephens to have groups like Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services, who are there to help and support people when they are most in need.”

]]>http://www.psfans.org.au/raymond-terrace-crisis-accommodation-helps-break-cycle-of-abusive-relationships-in-its-first-year-of-operation/feed/08857Youth Homelessness Matters Day: Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services says it will take systemic change to solve the issue.http://www.psfans.org.au/youth-homelessness-matters-day-port-stephens-family-and-neighbourhood-services-says-it-will-take-systemic-change-to-solve-the-issue/
http://www.psfans.org.au/youth-homelessness-matters-day-port-stephens-family-and-neighbourhood-services-says-it-will-take-systemic-change-to-solve-the-issue/#respondWed, 18 Apr 2018 06:23:30 +0000http://www.psfans.org.au/?p=8811Homelessness among youths remains an issue in Port Stephens with no reduction in those seeking help this year compared to the last. Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services has seen 10 males aged between 18 and 24, so far this&hellip

Homelessness among youths remains an issue in Port Stephens with no reduction in those seeking help this year compared to the last.

Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services has seen 10 males aged between 18 and 24, so far this year, and 32 females.

That’s on par with the 10 males it helped between January and April last year and 28 females.

In the 15 to 17 age bracket, there’s been one male and seven females come to PSFANS since January. That compares to the one male and four females for the same period last year.

“There’s been no real inroads – in fact there’s been a slight increase – and we won’t see any real change because we’re dealing with a systemic issue,” PSFANS early intervention and homelessness team leader Ann Fletcher said.

The service assists clients with transitional accommodation and advocacy when dealing with other services. PSFANS has seven units into which it can place youths while it helps them find work or engage with education and training, for a period of up to 18 months.

Ms Fletcher spoke to the Examiner on Wednesday, which coincided with Youth Homelessness Matters Day. She said the issue was mired in social disadvantage, family breakdown and violence, high youth unemployment, and the high cost of living.

“Until we address these things we’re never going to make inroads and we’ll remain in work at PSFANS,” she said.

Youths who have fled troubled homes might be eligible for $490 a fortnight under Youth Allowance, up to age 23, but Ms Fletcher said even those on New Start receiving $590 a week struggled when a unit in Raymond Terrace cost $265 a week.

“Even a room in a Newcastle sharehouse is $170 a week, it’s really unaffordable,” she said.

“For an 18-year-old being asked to pay $265 a week for a unit, alongside someone who’s 60 on the age pension paying the same, but getting $200 a week less, how can they make it work? These youths are getting less but they’re still being asked to pay the same as the 60-year-old for a carton of milk, they’re not paying any less for their groceries.”

Ms Fletcher said the only real hope was to help youths get into the subsidised rental accommodation Rent Choice Youth, administered by the Department of Housing to get them into private rental accommodation. That’s available for youths who can get into work or approved education and training.

“It can be a bit of a sweetner for a landlord to know that the Department is paying up to 75 per cent of the rent,” she said.

The NSW Opposition said unlike the rest of Australia, in NSW youth homelessness had increased across every age group, with reference to the most recent Census.

Between 2011 and 2016, youth homelessness increased in NSW by 9.8 per cent for the under 12 age group; 3.5 per cent for 12-18s; and 36.3 per cent for those aged 19-24.

Across the rest of the country, the average rate of youth homelessness fell by around two per cent.

]]>http://www.psfans.org.au/youth-homelessness-matters-day-port-stephens-family-and-neighbourhood-services-says-it-will-take-systemic-change-to-solve-the-issue/feed/08811Kate Washington and Meryl Swanson raise $4000 from International Women’t Day breakfast.http://www.psfans.org.au/kate-washington-and-meryl-swanson-raise-4000-from-international-woment-day-breakfast/
http://www.psfans.org.au/kate-washington-and-meryl-swanson-raise-4000-from-international-woment-day-breakfast/#respondThu, 22 Feb 2018 21:00:47 +0000http://www.psfans.org.au/?p=8803A recent International Women’s Day breakfast at Hunter Botanic Gardens has raised more than $4000 for Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services. Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and Federal MP Meryl Swanson hosted the event which featured the young women&hellip

A recent International Women’s Day breakfast at Hunter Botanic Gardens has raised more than $4000 for Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and Federal MP Meryl Swanson hosted the event which featured the young women leaders of Irrawang High and Hunter River High as well as an address from Hunter River High School principal Deb Dibley.

“Meryl and I were delighted by the community’s response to our inaugural International Women’s Day event and very grateful for everyone’s generosity on the day,” Ms Washington said.

“This event is an opportunity to showcase local women leaders whilst also acknowledging the extra challenges many women in our community face.”

The two MPs presented the money the Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Service on Thursday.

Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Service is the local homelessness and domestic violence referral centre that offers a range of services including housing support, financial counselling, parenting support and more.

A long-awaited crisis accommodation unit for Port Stephens women and children is complete.

For nearly six months Port Stephens police with a trade background have wired, plumbed and plastered the Raymond Terrace unit in a joint project with Port Stephens Council and Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services.

As a finishing touch, Friends with Dignity have placed furniture, electrical items, food and even games, into the unit.

“After a lot of hard work the house has been finished and turned into a home with the help of these Friends,” Port Stephens local area command Superintendent Chris Craner said.

“If a woman has plans to leave an abusive relationship this unit must be a part of that plan.”

Friends with Dignity usually works with women after they have been through a refuge with help to furnish a new home.

It grew out of the Brisbane-Gold Coast area, with services now on offer in Newcastle – with more areas to follow.

“This is the first time we’ve got involved in domestic violence services at this stage of the process,” Friends with Dignity Newcastle programs manager Sue Stackman said.

“We’ve done 38 homes with women in Newcastle and we want to expand into the Port Stephens area.”

The Raymond Terrace unit has mostly been furnished with high quality second hand items.

“Some of these items have even come from women who have fled domestic violence in the past,” Ms Stackman said.

PFANS will manage the unit placing women and their children in the unit as required.

Co-manager Sue Pollock said it was the little touches like the mural in the children’s bedroom, courtesy of Alesco School, down to torches on the beds, which made it a home.

“This unit means mums don’t have to think about where they are going to sleep tonight, what to eat or even what to pack, it’s all here,” she said.

“For children it’s so important to lessen the trauma and provide a soft place to land.”

The keys were presented to PFANS on Monday. Ms Pollock said the unit gave it and clients options.

“Women don’t need to make the decision right now, in a moment of distress and trauma, now might be just a good time to talk to us and take some time out in this safe space,” she said.

Friends with Dignity will hold a community information night on April 3 at Raymond Terrace Bowling Club from 6pm.

The night is for anyone who would like to help families affected by domestic violence.

]]>http://www.psfans.org.au/raymond-terrace-crisis-accommodation-ready-help-break-cycle-abusive-relationships/feed/07939The Giving Tree is a chance for the community to help the Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Service help those struggling this Christmas.http://www.psfans.org.au/giving-tree-chance-community-help-port-stephens-family-neighbourhood-service-help-struggling-christmas/
http://www.psfans.org.au/giving-tree-chance-community-help-port-stephens-family-neighbourhood-service-help-struggling-christmas/#respondTue, 06 Dec 2016 03:20:39 +0000http://www.psfans.org.au/?p=7635 CHRISTMAS is often seen as a time for joy and celebration, but for some families, it is a stressful time of year. So to help, Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Service (PSFANS) and Nelson Bay Real Estate have joined together&hellip

The Giving Tree appeal is an opportunity for the community to donate an unwrapped gift or food hamper, which will then be given to children in the Port Stephens area that would normally go without.

“It’s a really difficult time for many families,” said FANS early childhood coordinator Debbie Jones. “Many are facing financial hardship. One family for example, was going Christmas shopping at the local op-shop, as brand new presents were just to expensive.”

Last year, the Giving Tree appeal received over 200 presents, which reached over 100 kids throughout the Port Stephens area. “For us, it meant that we knew lots of kids had a smile on their face on Christmas Day,” Ms. Jones said.

For Marlene Borg, sales assistant at Nelson Bay Real Estate, the response last year was beyond expectations. “The community contributed a lot, everyone was really welcoming about it,” she said.

“We are broadening our reach this year, handing out flyers in more areas, trying to get a lot more people on board,” Ms. Borg said.

Ms. Jones said the donated presents take that bit of extra pressure off families at Christmas time.

]]>http://www.psfans.org.au/giving-tree-chance-community-help-port-stephens-family-neighbourhood-service-help-struggling-christmas/feed/07635White Ribbon Day march through Raymond Terracehttp://www.psfans.org.au/white-ribbon-day-march-raymond-terrace/
http://www.psfans.org.au/white-ribbon-day-march-raymond-terrace/#respondThu, 24 Nov 2016 23:11:51 +0000http://www.psfans.org.au/?p=7946Sam Norris25 Nov 2016, 2:41 p.m WHITE Ribbon Day ambassador Roger Yeo has urged people to speak out if they hear or see evidence of domestic violence. Mr Yeo spoke after the inaugural Port Stephens White Ribbon Day march through&hellip

]]>http://www.psfans.org.au/white-ribbon-day-march-raymond-terrace/feed/07946Puppies prove to be more than man’s best friend.http://www.psfans.org.au/puppies-prove-mans-best-friend/
http://www.psfans.org.au/puppies-prove-mans-best-friend/#respondTue, 22 Nov 2016 04:33:47 +0000http://www.psfans.org.au/?p=7624Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services has long been providing comfort and support to those in need. The centre has been a one-stop shop for those who need it most with help from homelessness and crisis accommodation, parent and caregiver&hellip

Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services has long been providing comfort and support to those in need.

The centre has been a one-stop shop for those who need it most with help from homelessness and crisis accommodation, parent and caregiver support and child and youth counselling just a few of the services it provides.

It has also been using the adorable assistance of Gracie the cavoodle for the past year to aid in the counselling process as well as the help of 12 friendly chickens.

It has now just introduced Dusty and Barney, two eight-week-old Maltese-Shih Tzu-cross puppies who have already been making inroads in calming traumatised and distressed children and adults by simply offering unconditional love.

Debbie Jones from the centre said there was clear evidence that the use of animals was beneficial in the healing process.

“There’s a lot of research into trauma and looking at the impact of caring animals in keeping people calm when they are struggling to regulate their own emotions,” she said.

“We’ve had them in the homework group where a boy with additional needs barricaded himself in a room and wouldn’t come out.

“But he came out for the puppies.”

The move to introduce the puppies came after seeing the work of one of the centre’s counsellors Ina George and her dog Gracie.

Ms George uses her two-year-old cavoodle as part of her therapy programs, taking her into schools and homes.

“I’ve had a girl with depression who wouldn’t get out of bed at all,” she said.

“I brought Gracie to her home with me and 15 minutes later she was down at Mcdonald’s having milkshakes, that’s what dogs can do.

“It’s that action of patting that releases endorphins, which is the happy hormone, that has a calming influence on people.

“[Gracie] is so intuitive, I’ve seen her lying on the floor during a counselling session and then when the person starts crying she immediately gets up and puts her head on their lap.”

According to Ms Jones the dogs, who go home with the workers at night, will be used in group work and in one-on-one sessions.

Volunteers are also needed for help with the daily cleaning and grooming of the dogs and chickens.

For more information phone 4987 4674.

CALMING INFLUENCE: Ina George with Gracie who has been offering support to clients of counselling services for the past year. Picture: Supplied

PUPPY LOVE: Debbie Jones with Barney and Dusty, the puppies that will offer support at Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services.

]]>http://www.psfans.org.au/puppies-prove-mans-best-friend/feed/07624Crisis accommodation set for Raymond Terracehttp://www.psfans.org.au/crisis-accommodation-set-raymond-terrace/
http://www.psfans.org.au/crisis-accommodation-set-raymond-terrace/#respondTue, 15 Nov 2016 04:41:54 +0000http://www.psfans.org.au/?p=7620Anna Wolf 15 Nov 2016, 3:41 p.m. MUCH has been said about the name of the soon-to-be opened safe house in Raymond Terrace but not much has been revealed about the impact it will have on the Port Stephens community.&hellip

MUCH has been said about the name of the soon-to-be opened safe house in Raymond Terrace but not much has been revealed about the impact it will have on the Port Stephens community.

Or on the colossal community effort it took to establish the vital and overdue service.

The short-term crisis accommodation home for those affected by domestic violence is set for completion next week.

Until then, the nearest option for police to take victims to shelter is usually in Newcastle.

The two-bedroom unit has been a joint project between Port Stephens Council, Port Stephens Police LAC and Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services [PSFANS] – which had been campaigning for such an initiative for years.

Co-managers of PSFANS Sue Pollock and Colleen Whittle said it was just the beginning in providing additional support to those affected by domestic violence.

The service will manage occupancy once the residence has been handed over.

“In the last year, our services saw 1375 women and children in Port Stephens who are in, or are suffering the impact of domestic violence – of which 255 were actually homeless,” Ms Pollock said.

“That’s not counting families who access our other services.”

According to Ms Whittle the refuge will allow for women and their children to stay, on a case by case basis, for up to 28 days.

“We haven’t had this before so we’re used to having to find longer-term accommodation quickly,” she said.

Being able to address each case on its own merits and the fact that the residence is self contained means that women with teenage sons can also seek refuge.

Often refuges that take multiple families restrict teenage males from staying with them.

Port police officers donated their time and skills to the refit of the residence with the help of Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed.

Port Stephens Council provided the property while businesses donated resources and services.

In a bid to ensure safety and solace for children, PSFANS will also enlist the services of “child consultants” to ensure the most vulnerable feel safe.

“They’re children who have experienced domestic violence,” Ms Whittle said.

“They can tell us what they need to feel safe, like where to put lighting outside and inside,” added Superintendent Craner.

“We’re going to have police officers who are 30 year veterans being bossed around by 11 year olds,” he laughed.

“What’s more, we’re going to have somewhere to take families when they’ve left home.

“We’ve had officers find mothers and children waiting in the foyer of the police station with nowhere to go.”

]]>http://www.psfans.org.au/crisis-accommodation-set-raymond-terrace/feed/07620Hunter River High student a finalist in Youth Frontiers state awardshttp://www.psfans.org.au/hunter-river-high-student-finalist-youth-frontiers-state-awards/
http://www.psfans.org.au/hunter-river-high-student-finalist-youth-frontiers-state-awards/#respondThu, 03 Nov 2016 04:12:21 +0000http://www.psfans.org.au/?p=7617Sam Norris3 Nov 2016, 3:12 p.m. A MURAL designed to empower young members of the LGBTI community is a finalist in a coveted statewide award for students. Kye, who attends Hunter River High School, developed the concept from a design&hellip

A MURAL designed to empower young members of the LGBTI community is a finalist in a coveted statewide award for students.

Kye, who attends Hunter River High School, developed the concept from a design on the social media photo sharing site, Instagram, to challenge some stubborn perceptions of gender in Raymond Terrace.

“It’s my hope that this will mean there’s less discrimination here,” the Year 8 student said.

“I cried myself to sleep every night in the last week before I had to turn it in.”

He completed the projected as part of the Youth Frontiers program designed to build confidence and life skills among Year 8 and 9 students. The students work with mentors and their work is assessed on its potential to bring about positive change in their community.

Kye’s interactive mural is designed to encourage all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, to write down who their lesbian, gay, bisexual, or intersex hero is.

“A lot of people have written my name,” Kye said.

“But I don’t think of myself as a hero.”

The mural was carefully painted at The Deck (youth drop-in centre) for maximum impact.

“It was all Kye’s idea but I’m really happy that I could help him do it,” year 12 student Mahaylia said, of her work with Kye.

Students from Hunter River High turned in 10 completed projects last week.

The school’s community liaison officer, Kylie Magin, said Year 8 and 9 students were encouraged to take part in the YWCA initiative (YWCA previously having been known as the Young Women’s Christian Association).

“The YWCA’s Youth Frontiers program builds students’ skills and self-esteem while playing a direct practical role in supporting the community,” Ms Magin said.

Since term two this year the students have worked on projects, individually or in pairs, that included; promoting local mental health services; supporting teenage girls in getting into sport; producing an anti-bullying video; working with a local domestic violence agency; and turning rubbish into art, recycling with the council.

“After taking part in last year’s pilot program, and seeing the success of this year’s participation, we’re hoping it’ll become a fixture at Hunter River High – you couldn’t get a clearer case of students helping themselves by helping others,” Ms Magin said.

Youth Frontiers is a youth mentoring program funded by the NSW Department of Education and Communities and administered through NSW Family and Community Services.

The young people with the most innovative and effective community projects will be recognised with a number of awards in Term 4.